Wednesday letter March 26th 2025

SENSORY GARDEN/ QUIET PLAY SPACE

As you know, we are always looking to improve and update our facilities in Hollypark BNS! With the help of the Parents' Association, we plan to create a sensory garden and a quiet play space for our students. A sensory garden and quiet play spaces will offer immense benefits for the Hollypark BNS students, creating a nurturing environment that supports well-being, focus, and emotional regulation. These spaces will provide a calm retreat from the busy school day, helping boys to relax, recharge, and develop mindfulness. The sensory elements—such as textured plants, fragrant flowers, and soothing sounds will encourage exploration and engagement, fostering curiosity and creativity. Quiet play areas also promote social inclusion, allowing children to connect in a more relaxed setting or enjoy peaceful moments of solitude. By integrating nature into daily school life, we will enhance learning, concentration, and overall happiness, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. 

Thank you to parent, Emily Moorecroft and 5th class student Roman Geiger for their incredible garden designs. (See concept pictures above.) We plan to build the sensory garden and quiet play areas on Saturday, May 10th. If you can land a hand, pulling weeds, laying bark, building huts, digging, raking, or making tea and coffee, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch via info@hollyparkbns.ie Subject: Garden Volunteer. We hope to make this a really good school community project and get as many parents/guardians and boys involved as we can. Thank you in advance for your support. 

Parents’ Association Feedback Survey

The Parents’ Association values your feedback!  We would love to hear your thoughts on better supporting our school community.  Please take just two minutes to complete our short survey.  Your input will help us plan future initiatives and improve our efforts. 

Click here to complete the survey
 

As a token of our appreciation, all participants can enter a raffle to win a €50 One4All Gift Card. If you would like to be included, just leave your contact details at the end of the survey. Your responses will remain anonymous, and your contact information will only be used for the raffle draw.

Thank you for your time and support.
Kind regards,
Sarah Walsh
Hollypark BNS Parents’ Association 

AN PARÁID!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

On March 13th, we had a Paráid that we will remember forever. It was full of fun and cheer. Thank you parents and grandparents for turning up in your droves to help us celebrate Lá Fhéile Pádraig in style. A huge thank you to our 6th class boys for lending us their talents as MCs for the event. Thank you to George, our youngest pupil, and Liam, our eldest pupil who were the Grand Marshals on the day along with the boys from Ms. Dunne's class. Once again, our amazing staff pulled the whole day together to make memories that Hollypark boys will never forget. Thank you to Mrs. Regan and Ms. Ryan for organising the fun and to Mr. Jones, Daniel, Logan and Jamie from 6^th class for helping to set up and get the place rocking! Mr. Ryan captured the magic and I am sharing some images now. I will hopefully have more for you in next week's letter. 

Bhí cách ag tsnúth go mór leis an bparáid sa chlós. Bhí áthas an domhain orainn fáilte a chur roimh na tuismitheoirí ar fad arís in mbliana! Bhí tús iontach leis an bparáid. Míle buíochas do Chlann Carron.  Maith sibh Tomás agus Colm.  Bhí an t-ádh linn go raibh Banna Ceoil an Muinteoírí ann ar an lá. Rinne na páistí an-iarracht amhráin, rainn and dánta a foghlaim.  
A bhuachaillí- ba cheart daoibh a bheith an-bhródúil. Bhí sibh ar feabhas ar fad.  

World Autism Awareness Day

April is World Autism Month, and next Wednesday, 2^nd April 2025, is World Autism Awareness Day. It is an internationally recognised day, designated by the United Nations, to encourage people throughout the world to raise awareness about Autism. Join us in wearing something blue next Wednesday, April 2nd, to mark the day and raise awareness! 
Please note: This is not a fundraising event. 

For more information on Autism, please see As I Am | Ireland's Autism Charity | What is Autism?

SOCCER TEAM 

Well done to our 6th class soccer team, which won 8-3 against Drimnagh Castle last Friday. The boys are now into the next round of the Cup. They will play St. Brigid's BNS in the league next week. Best of luck, boys!